CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK /V^/yfa^UJte— Carlsbad Caverns NATIONAL PARK The Underground Trip 15 NEW MEXICO Floodlighting of the Caverns 18

OPEN ALL YEAR Elevator Service 21 Contents Fees 22 Formation of the Caverns 4 Administration 24 Extent of the Caverns and of Park .... 8 How to Reach the Park 24 Exploration of Caverns 9 Accommodations 26 Prehistoric Sandal Found 9 Nearby Places of Interest 27 The Bat Spectacle 12 References 29 The Desert Plants 13 National Parks in Brief 30 Weather Conditions 15 Government Publications 31

Rules and Regulations (Briefed)

FOR THE INFORMATION OF VISITORS the following is a synopsis of Camping.—There are no public camps within the park area, and no overnight stop the rules and regulations in force in the Carlsbad Caverns National is permitted. Lunches may be eaten only in designated places, and all trash must be placed in trash cans provided for the purpose. Park. Complete regulations may be seen at the office of the Especial care shall be taken that no lighted match, cigar, or cigarette is dropped in any grass, twigs, leaves, or other combustible material. superintendent. Hunting.—The park is a sanctuary for wildlife of every sort, and the hunting, kill­ Preservation of the park.—The destruction, injury, or disturbance in any way of ing, wounding, frightening, capturing, or attempting the capture, of any wild bird the trees, flowers, vegetation, rocks, mineral formations, or any animal, bird, or or animal is. prohibited. other life is prohibited. Cameras.—Still and motion-picture cameras may be used on the surface by ama­ teurs for scenic views. Amateurs desiring to operate standard-size motion-picture Defacement by writing, carving, or otherwise, of any of the walls or other for­ mations in the caverns is prohibited. cameras, and professional photographers must obtain a permit from the superin­ tendent for taking interior views. No flashlight shall be taken without special No canes, umbrellas, or sticks of any kind may be taken into the caverns unless authority in writing from the superintendent. During months of heaviest travel permission is granted by the superintendent or one of his representatives, which (June, July, and August) this permission, at the discretion of the superintendent, permission may only be given when such cane or stick is necessary for the visitor to may be refused. make the cavern trip. The tossing or throwing of rocks or other material inside Dogs.—No dogs are allowed in the caverns. the caverns is prohibited. No firearms or explosive material may be taken into the caverns. Park rangers.—The rangers are here to help and advise you. When in doubt, ask a ranger. Fees.—No person or persons shall be permitted to enter the caverns unless accom­ panied by National Park Service employees or guides. Competent guide service is provided for the public by the Government, for which a fee of $1.50 shall be charged UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE each person entering the caverns. No charges shall be made for children 16 years of age or under when accompanied by adults. An additional charge of 50 cents in INTERIOR - - - Harold L. Ickes, Secretary each direction will be made for adults using the elevator and 25 cents for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Adults will be held responsible for the conduct NATIONAL PARK SERVICE of children whose names appear on their tickets. Arno B. Cammerer, Director ENTRANCE

AND TRAIL

MONG the superb areas included in the national park system as the Carlsbad limestone. This limestone was formed originally in a of the United States is a series of connected caverns of unusual shallow inland extension of the ocean some 200 million years ago—in the magnificence and extent known as the Carlsbad Caverns. They Permian period, which followed the time of greatest coal forming through­ kare located in southeastern New Mexico, in the rugged foothills out the world. After this period the area was dry land, but it may have oAf the Guadalup e Mountains. The region is picturesque semidesert coun­ been resubmerged and covered by sediments at a later period. try, and its cactus vegetation is as strange and interesting to many visitors The uplifting and folding movements that formed the Rocky Mountains as are the caverns themselves. also raised the Carlsbad area above sea level. The Guadalupe Mountains The Federal Government, by proclamation of President Coolidge, on near Carlsbad are outliers of that great mountain system. The uplift of October 25, 1923, established the Carlsbad Cave National Monument. the region took place about the end of the "Age of Dinosaurs" (Cretaceous Later, by act of Congress approved May 14, 1930, the area became the period)—some 60 million years ago. Since that time the streams have Carlsbad Caverns National Park. carved their deep gorges, the vast caverns have been hollowed in the FORMATION OF THE CAVERNS limestone, and within them, at a still later time, the amazing decorative Carlsbad Caverns are openings made by water in a massive rock known deposits were formed. The repeated movements of the region made numerous joint cracks or fissures in the massive Carlsbad limestone, and a portion of the rain water that enters the ground has found its way along many of these crevices. The beginnings of the caverns as small crevices date from the entrance of this first percolating water. Once water enters a limestone it begins the incessant process of removal by solution. Slowly it seeps through the crevices, removing the firm rock little by little, until eventually a series of tortuous openings are developed. Very small at first, they gradually enlarge and extend in all directions, and all are connected. More water enters with each rain and the cavities con­ tinue to enlarge by solution, rapidly when water is plentiful, slowly when it is scarce, thus opening great caves and passageways. Long, continuous corridors result when ground water is diverted along the contact of an impervious layer or follows a straight fissure or joint crack. Ultimately the water that moves through these subterranean channels flows out into the valley in the form of seepages or springs. Some cave rooms have been formed or enlarged also by the solution of embedded salt or gypsum, which are much more soluble than limestone. The large rooms owe their size in part to the caving of rock from the sides and the roof. Such caving extends upward and in some places opens great holes at the surface. Where much water finds its way underground and sand and gravel arc washed in from the surface many of the channels are deepened by the scouring action of flowing streams. Ground water moves through deeper passages and finds lower outlets when the adjacent valleys are deepened. The small seepages that find their way into the dry caverns from above are here evaporated, and deposition takes place instead of solution and removal. During this second period of development nature converts these gray cavities into a wonderland. In the Carlsbad Caverns there are myriads of beautifully sculptured effects hanging from the ceiling. Some of these are inverted spires variously ornamented and known as stalactites; some are small delicate growths resembling plant structures. Where water enters any opening faster than it can be evaporated, part of it falls to the floor and evaporates there, gradually building up stalagmites and other masses of limestone, many of which assume grotesque shapes. Some stalactites and stalagmites have joined to form huge columns. Less commonly irregular spiral and curiously branched and twisted forms develop; these are known as helictites. Many of the formations in all forms and positions are beautifully colored, generally in shades of tan, but tints of rose, green, and purple are also sometimes seen. This coloring results from a small amount of iron or other mineral matter in the limestone.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico 6 THE MAJESTIC ROCK OF AGES These ornate and fascinating forms are due to the deposition of limestone The early Indians baked not only mescal and cactus but sometimes meats which has been carried in solution by ground water and which crystallizes in these pits. upon the walls of the cave as the water evaporates or when dissolved carbon Early pioneer trails passed near the caverns' entrance. The Spanish dioxide which it may contain escapes to the air. Even when most of the conquistadors are believed to have come into the Guadalupe Mountains water finds direct entrance through sink holes into deep open passageways, a at Rattlesnake Springs, near the caverns, and the historic old Butterfield small amount still seeps through small crevices into the dry upper chambers express trail (the first express trail across the West) crossed the route of where it evaporates and deposits its tiny load of limestone. This constant the Spaniards at this point. Over the Butterfield Trail the Forty-niners addition of small increments to the surface by the evaporation of the water freighted their gold from California to St. Louis, and today wagon irons, in which it is dissolved is the method by which the cave formations grow. relics of old wagon trains that met with disaster at the hands of marauding The brilliance and translucent appearance of the formations in a cave bands, are sometimes unearthed. arc due to the fact that they are saturated with water. If, for any reason, EXPLORATION OF CAVERNS the seepage of water into the cave is stopped, its appearance gradually becomes dull and the surface slowly assumes a powdered appearance. The first white man known to have explored the caverns was Jim White, Such a dry cave is spoken of, in cave parlance, as being dead. a cowboy. This was in 1901. Seeing a dark, moving column issuing The immensity of the large rooms, the beauty of form, and the impene­ from the region, he investigated and found a natural opening in the earth trable stillness leave an indelible impression upon those who venture into which led down to the caverns. The dark, smokelike column proved to be this fairyland. The beauty, form, and color, are so impressive that no alive, a moving stream of bats from down in the darkness of the caves. explanation of the method by which the caverns develop seems adequate. With a young Mexican boy as his only companion, Jim White made extensive explorations of the caverns, insuring success in his return by EXTENT OF THE CAVERNS AND OF PARK leaving behind a trail of smudge marks and strings. Many long stretches of string still remain in the less-visited portions of the caverns, mute testi­ Although it has been the subject of extensive explorations, the size of the mony of the intrepid courage of the young cowboy whose love of adventure Carlsbad Caverns is not yet known. Already many miles of passages and made him the pioneer explorer of the world's greatest caverns. . chambers have been explored, and further mileage is continually being conquered. How far the caverns extend under the Guadalupe Mountains After exploring Carlsbad Caverns, Jim White never missed an oppor­ no one knows. tunity to take visitors into his find and share its beauties with them. Their reports of the size and magnificence of the underground chambers finally Three main levels in the caverns already have been discoverd, and resulted in examination of the caverns in 1923-24 by Robert Holley, of the there may be others not yet known. The first is at the 750-foot level, to General Land Office, and Dr. Willis T. Lee, of the Geological Survey, both which visitors are conducted. Below it is another vast subterranean of the United States Department of the Interior. These men were greatly apartment at 900 feet, and below that still another at 1,320 feet. None of impressed with the magnificence of the caverns. Shortly afterward Dr. Lee these levels has been completely explored. led the National Geographic Society expedition into them. His reports, Although the underground caverns are so extensive, the surface area of published in the National Geographic Magazine of January 1924 and Carlsbad Caverns National Park was only a little more than 700 acres until September 1925, gave the caverns national publicity. February 21, 1933, when President Hoover signed a proclamation increasing its size to 9,960 acres. Authority for this extension was granted by Congress Jim White still lives and has written a book telling of his experiences in 1930, when it authorized the park's establishment. during the discovery of the Carlsbad Caverns. He may be found at noon Within this enlargement are many other caves, some rich in decora­ in his booth in the underground "Lunchroom." tive deposits and others full of archeological interest in that several of them PREHISTORIC SANDAL FOUND are the burial places of prehistoric inhabitants of the region. Other evidences of prehistoric occupancy are the circular rock mescal Long before the first white man entered Carlsbad Caverns, prehistoric or cooking pits and the grinding bowls found near the entrance to the people knew of their existence. Recent trail construction uncovered a caverns. Just at the entrance is an excellent example of a mescal pit. sandal a short distance inside the entrance, which has been identified as

Carlsbad Caverns National Park • Neiv Mexico 8 9 Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico Ktnnicott Photo PARKING TERRACES AT CAVERNS ENTRANCE the handiwork of the Basket Makers who inhabitated the region, probably before the time of Christ. THE BAT SPECTACLE The bat spectacle which first claimed the attention of Jim White is now one of the great attractions of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Each evening at dusk, except during the winter period of hibernation, millions of bats come forth from a cavern 180 feet below the surface, flying in a spiral through the great entrance arch, and streaming off over the rim in a southerly direction, later to separate into flocks which disappear in the distance for a night's foraging. Beginning about sunset, the flight outward lasts about 3 hours. The bats return before the fol­ lowing dawn. It has been estimated that 3,000,000 bats during 1 night's foray con­ sume a little over 11% tons of night-flying insects, such as various kinds of moths, beetles, flies, and mosquitoes. During the day the bats hang by their hind legs, heads downward, in great clusters high on the walls and ceilings of their particular portion of the caverns. From October until March they hibernate, hanging in this position and seeming almost lifeless. There are five kinds of bats in the caverns, but by far the greater number are Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida mexicana). Their common name of free-tailed bat is descriptive of the tail, which projects about 1 inch Boles photo BAT FLIGHT AS SEEN FROM INSIDE CAVERNS ENTRANCE beyond the skin that stretches between the hind legs. During the latter part of June or early in July the young, one or two in A talk on the bats by a ranger naturalist is given each evening at the number, are born. The newly born bat instinctively clings to the under caverns entrance just before the flight begins. side of the mother, and is carried about in this position even when she is flying in search of insects. THE DESERT PLANTS The portion of the caverns occupied by the bats is a long corridor extend­ The region about the Carlsbad Caverns National Park contains many ing a quarter of a mile eastward from the main entrance, and is not open interesting desert plants. With an annual rainfall of only 10 inches, the to visitors. The presence of such large numbers of bats was responsible little water which does fall runs off quickly, because the limestone outcrops for the accumulation of great deposits of guano. Between 1901 and at the surface and there is little soil to retain the water. The many pecu­ 1921, before the caverns were in Government ownership, about 100,000 liar forms of plants show adaptations resulting from the necessity for the tons of guano were taken out by a fertilizer company and sold to citrus retention of water, the lessening of evaporation, and the protection of the growers. It is believed that this was accumulated over a period of many plant from being eaten. For instance, the thickened joints of the prickly- centuries. pear cactus, the spherical or cylindrical forms of other cactus varieties, In some portions of the caverns not now inhabited by bats there are and the thickened leaves of the purslanes enable all these plants to store guano stains, showing that formerly bats occupied these portions of it. water whenever the roots have the opportunity to absorb it. Most of the In the Papoose Chamber, many years ago, a bat died while clinging near cactuses and the all thorn have lost their leaves altogether while the ocotillo the top of a stalagmite, and the growth of the formation sealed the little sheds its small leaves during the driest part of the year, thus reducing the mammal in a stony tomb. surface from which evaporation may take place. As a means of reducing

Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico 12 13 Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico plant, little mescal, mescal, centuryplant, black walnut, hackberry, mul­ berry, catclaws, mesquite, goat beans, soapberry, New Mexican buckeye, blue-thorn, candle flame, devils-walkingstick, ocotillo, desertwillow, allthorn, pricklypear, cane cactus, tasajcllo, brown-flowered pataya, yellow-flowered pataya, devils-pincushion or strawberry cactus, claret cup, melon cactus, devils head, manco caballo, horse crippler of the Rio Grande, turks head or fishhook cactus, and button cactus.

WEATHER CONDITIONS Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open throughout the year. Although the caverns temperature remains stationary at 56°, the surface temperature runs the gamut from nearly zero weather in winter to over 100° in summer. Therefore, clothes of ordinary weight, plus a light sweater or other wrap, are needed for the trip through the caverns at all times of the year; while on the surface, clothes should follow the season. No special clothes are needed for the caverns trip, since trails and stairways are followed the entire distance. Low-heeled shoes, however, are advisable.

THE UNDERGROUND TRIP At the present time 7 miles of underground corridors and great chambers in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park are open to visitors. The entrance is through a natural arch, 90 feet wide and 40 feet high in its greatest dimensions. Leading to the entrance is an excellent trail, its many graceful Boles photo curves insuring an easy grade. Until recently a series of wooden stairs, CENTURY PLANT DESERT FLORA with over 700 steps, led down to the main cavern. Now the greater portion evaporation, many of the plants of the region, like the various kinds of of these steps has been replaced by trails similar to those leading to the catclaws and blue-thorn, have developed very small leaves. In other cases entrance arch, thus both simplifying the descent and adding to the appear­ the leaves may have a waxy surface, as in the goat bean, or varnished ance of the caverns entrance. surfaces, as in the creosote bush, or a hairy covering, as in the sages. Plants The main corridor of the cave, just inside the entrance, is immense, but, such as the cactuses, allthorn, blue-thorn, catclaws, ocotillo, and algireta apart from its great size, has nothing of particular importance to offer are protected by the spines or thorns from being eaten. when compared with the beauties of the chambers beyond. The caverns visitor who comes in April or May might be fortunate The trail through the main corridor extends for almost a mile and leads enough to see many plants in full bloom, plants which flower for only a to the Green Lake Room, which derives its name from a small green pool short time, go to seed, and then until the following spring give little evi­ alongside the trail. dence of their existence. The trail then passes through a short artificial tunnel to the King's Palace, The following are some of the very conspicuous plants which may be thought by many to be the most beautiful chamber in this or any other seen in a few minutes' walk from the caverns entrance. The cactus garden series of caverns. It is almost circular in form and is separated from the near the ticket office contains all of the cactuses, as well as a few of the adjoining chambers by curtains and partitions of gleaming onyx. other plants of the region. A natural "keyhole" leads from the King's Palace to the Queen's Cham­ Juniper, cedar, popotillo, jointfir, Mormon tea, yucca, Spanish dagger, ber, which is particularly famous for its "elephant cars" or draperies, some la palma, soapweed, palmilla, sotol, beargrass, lechuguilla, little century- hanging straight, others draped or folded back. Some of these are so

Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico 14 15 Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico delicate and translucent that a light placed behind them brings out faint tints of pink and tea rose. In this chamber the helictite formation is unusu­ ally interesting, the small sticklike formations interlacing in an effect resembling an impenetrable thicket of thorns. In natural sequence comes the Papoose's Chamber, a beautiful little room which leads back to the King's Palace, whence the trail leads over a series of winding terraces to the lunchroom, at the beginning of the Big Room. Water has been piped from the surface and is available in sanitary drinking fountains; tables and benches have been built and comfort stations installed nearby. A stop of about half an hour is made here each day for lunch. Leaving the lunchroom, the visitor enters the Big Room itself, the most impressive of the many chambers of the caverns. It is nearly 4,000 feet long and 625 feet wide, and at one place the ceiling arches 350 feet above. In this room the formations are massive as well as magnificent. The stalactites vary from almost needlelike proportions to huge chandeliers; the stalagmites are equally varied, although of different contours. Here is found Giant Dome, which bears a striking resemblance to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Another great formation is the majestic Rock of Ages, where each day the visitors stop to hear a brief talk on the park, generally followed by the singing of "Rock of Ages." The scene is one of great impressiveness. Fountain basins lined with masses of crystalline onyx marble resembling lily pads; tall, graceful stalagmites resembling the totem poles of the Alaskan Indians; and masses reminding one of snow- banked forests add to the beauty of the scene. From the Big Room the return trip to the surface is made in about an hour. Throughout the tour one finds fresh, changing air, with a temper­ ature, winter and summer, that seldom varies from 56° F. Properly to cover the 7 miles of the caverns now open to the public requires about 5 hours, with a half-hour luncheon stop. Before the regular cave trip starts, at 10:30 a. m. (mountain time), a brief talk is made by a Government official at the caverns entrance. During the periods of heavy travel in the summer additional trips as warranted by the number of visitors are provided, usually starting an hour or two ahead of the standard 10:30 trip; however, the visitor is assured of always entering the Cavern at 10:30 as this will continue to be the time for the regular daily trip. An elevator trip is available at 12:30 p. m. People physically unable to walk through the caverns are urged to make use of the elevator. Even though portions of the caverns are not seen on the trip, nevertheless the

INTERESTING FORMATIONS NEAR ENTRANCE TO QUEEN S CHAMBER 17 Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico Boles photo ELEVATOR BUILDING most impressive portion of it is viewed in the tour of the "Big Room." Park rangers conduct the party throughout the entire trip, there being 1 ranger for about every 30 people. Visitors are invited to ask questions of the rangers, who are glad to impart authentic information.

FLOODLIGHTING OF THE CAVERNS The floodlighting of the Carlsbad Caverns is a masterpiece of electrical illumination. At no time during the underground trip does the visitor see a switch, a cable, or a floodlight. All have been artfully concealed behind rock shields, the floodlights sending their beams to the ceilings and to the formations, from which they are reflected back to the trails. The 7 miles of trails open to visitors are divided into 24 lighting sections, controlled by a switch at each end. As a party enters a certain section the lead guide pushes a button and the lights flash on for 1,000 feet ahead. Then, after the party has passed through, the rear guide pushes another button and the lights of this section fade away as the lead guide flashes on the lights of the next 1,000-foot section ahead. During the tour of the caverns only two or three adjacent sections are illuminated at one time. Despite the fact that the lighting system is divided into sections which Kennicotl and Grant photo

Carlsbad Caverns National Park • Neiv Mexico 18 ONYX DRAPES AT ENTRANCE TO HALL OF THE GIANTS generally are turned on separately, the powerhouse on the surface gener­ ates sufficient current to light all the circuits at one time. The caverns lights range from 50 to 2,000 candlepower, depending upon the type and degree of illumination required for the particular feature involved. The lighting system was installed by electricians of the National Park Service, ably assisted by specialists from the Westinghouse Co., whose valuable aid was contributed to the Government in the interests of the visiting public. ELEVATOR SERVICE In addition to the system of broad, easy trails, the Government has pro­ vided elevator service between the surface and the 750-foot level by means of

THE ELEPHANT EAR two high-speed passenger elevators, with a combined capacity of 500 persons an hour. These are the second longest single-lift elevators in the United States, being surpassed only by those in the Empire State Building in New York City. The speed of the elevator is 800 feet per minute. The elevators were designed with the same features for safety and com­ fort of passengers as are embodied in the latest installations in modern office buildings. When once in motion the elevator will automatically stop at top or bottom. Telephonic communication from the cage at all elevations may be made with the surface. The cage may be controlled from the building at the surface as well as by the operator in the cage. While the elevator is termed an "exit elevator," it is available to everyone going on the caverns tour. Visitors, however, are encouraged to make the trip both ways on foot, as the formations take on different aspects when viewed from various angles. Col. Thomas Burns, a centenarian, of Burkett, Tex., made the caverns trip in July 1932, just one week after celebrating his one-hundredth birth­ day. Colonel Burns walked the entire tour of the caverns unassisted, using the elevator only on the up-trip.

FEES A fee of SI .50 for guide service is charged each adult entering the caverns. No charge is made for children 16 years of age or under when accompanied by adults taking responsibility for their safety and good conduct. A charge of 50 cents in each direction is made for each adult using the elevator. Half fare is charged for children between the ages of 5 and 12

WALNUT CANYON HIGHWAY VEILED STATUE IN GREEN LAKE ROOM years. No charge is made for children 5 years of age or under when accom­ panied by adults assuming responsibility for their safety.

ADMINISTRATION The representative of the National Park Service in immediate charge of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park is Thomas Boles, superintendent. He maintains headquarters in the town of Carlsbad, N. Mex., 28 miles north of the caverns. He is assisted in protecting the park by a force of rangers, headed by a chief ranger, who live near the caverns entrance in a group of buildings especially designed in Pueblo Indian style. The National Park Service maintains an information bureau at the superintendent's office in Carlsbad. Information also may be obtained at the chamber of commerce and at any of the hotels, camps, garages, or transportation offices in Carlsbad.

HOW TO REACH THE PARK

BY RAIL, AIRPLANE, AND AUTO STAGE

By a combination of rail and bus, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is z o served by the Santa Fe System on the north and the Missouri Pacific- > z < Texas & Pacific Lines and the Southern Pacific Lines on the south. u The town of Carlsbad is the rail terminus via the Santa Fe, the local h line branching off at Clovis, N. Mex. There is a regular bus service from D z Carlsbad to the caverns and return, the charge for this service being $2 a < for the round trip and $1.75 when the party consists of three or more. i Visitors coming from the railroads to the south and west may obtain bus I service at El Paso or Pecos, Tex. In addition to being the main entrance < s to the park on the Southern Pacific Transcontinental Lines, El Paso is also a o the airplane gateway. o The park is also served by the Page Way Stage Lines from Roswell, z N. Mex., on the north, Carlsbad on the east, and Pecos on the south. w is. From the west the caverns may be reached through El Paso via the Carls­ w bad Caverns coaches. Complete information on schedules and rates may -1 s be obtained from any bus agent in the United States or Canada. zo U BY AUTOMOBILE h u. Excellent motor roads lead to Carlsbad Caverns National Park from c all directions. One of the most recently designated national highways a is United States Highway No. 62, which extends from Niagara Falls, > N. Y., to El Paso, Tex., and probably intersects more transcontinental a a highways than any other road in the country. Among these are United a :- States Highways Nos. 66 and 70. United States Highway No. 285, which 0 z < Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico 24 it also intersects, connects the park with Santa Fe and Mesa Verde Na­ The Cavern Supply Co. also serves luncheon at the 750-foot level in the tional Park and also, through its intersection with United States High­ caverns for the convenience of visitors making the 6-hour trip. Orders for ways Nos. 380 and 60, with the Grand Canyon National Park and the luncheon, at the moderate cost of 50 cents, are taken as the visitors start on Petrified Forest National Monument. the cave trip. Motorists on United States Highway No. 80, known as "The Broadway Another service furnished by the company is a day nursey near the cav­ of America", or the "Bankhead Highway"; on United States Highway erns entrance, where babies and small children are cared for. A charge of No. 290, the "Old Spanish Trail"; and on United States Highway No. 90, $1.50 a day for each child is made for this service which includes lunch. the "Mexican Border Highway", may reach the park via Pecos, Tex., and Although there is no limit placed on the age of children going through the Carlsbad. caverns, parents will derive much more enjoyment from the trip if not Coming in from the west to El Paso, motorists continue along United accompanied by very small children, especially those under 4 years of age. States Highway No. 62 to Carlsbad Caverns, a distance of 150 miles The Cavern Supply Co. also takes care of pets, for which a charge of through country of especial interest. Feaving the eastern limits of El Paso, 50 cents each is made. the highway crosses the desert floor for 25 miles to the Hueco Mountains.. NEARBY PLACES OF INTEREST Through these mountains it goes with long, sweeping curves and easy grades to a vast plain of semiarid grazing land. Not far to the north of Carlsbad.—About 28 miles northeast of the caverns, at the intersection this highway the old Butterfield stagecoach route was laid out in the fifties. of United States Highways Nos. 62 and 285, is the city of Carlsbad. About 90 miles east of El Paso the highway crosses the salt lake beds, Located in the heart of a Government irrigation district, it is an oasis in which were the cause of the Salt War of San Elizario in 1877. Slightly more the cactus-covered desert. Accommodations at modern hotels and tourist than 100 miles out of El Paso the highway joins with the Van Horn-Carlsbad camps are available. Paved streets arched by shade trees and a municipal Highway and soon enters the Guadalupe Mountains, winding up through bathing beach freshened by mineral springs afford welcome contrast from the canyons which the Butterfield stagecoaches once traversed, and swing­ the surrounding desert. The largest potash mine and refinery in the ing around Guadalupe Point and El Capitan, the highest points in Texas. world are located near Carlsbad. The Pecos River is well stocked with At the entrance to Walnut Canyon, about 150 miles out of El Paso, is the game fish, and large and small game are in nearby mountains. A free park entrance. Here motorists should turn to the left to reach the entrance museum, located in the Carlsbad Library, has exhibits of caverns forma­ to the Carlsbad Caverns. From the junction at the park entrance one tions and archeological relics of the region. An airport is 3 miles south. drives through Walnut Canyon over a recently constructed highway which Artesia.—In an irrigated district also is Artesia, a 90-minute ride from winds gracefully between the cactus-covered hills to the parking terraces Carlsbad Caverns on State Highway No. 2. Hotel and campground at the caverns entrance. accommodations are available, and the town and vicinity have much of interest to offer the traveler. Bountifully stocked by the nearby Federal ACCOMMODATIONS fish hatchery, the waters of Lake McMillan and the Pecos River offer There are no overnight accommodations available in Carlsbad Caverns excellent fishing. The artesian wells and oil refineries attract the attention National Park, but modern hotels and tourist camps in nearby cities and of visitors. towns along the approach highway offer various types of service at prices Roswell.—About 100 miles north of the caverns is Roswell, the home ranging from $1 to $2 for camps and from SI.50 to $3 for hotels. The of the New Mexico Military Institute. Here golf, swimming, tennis, and National Park Service exercises no jurisdiction over these accommodations. good motion-picture theaters are available. Surrounding Roswell are fine In the park itself, however, a store is maintained near the caverns entrance irrigated farms, and many beautiful drives run through this interesting where refreshments, soft drinks, pictures, photographic supplies, cigarettes, region. The largest artesian well in the world, furnishing 13,000,000 candy, post cards, and souveniis may be purchased. This is operated by gallons of water a day, is located just east of Roswell. A little farther the Cavern Supply Co., the only public utility operating in the park under east is the Bottomless Lakes State Park, surrounded by richly colored Government franchise and supervision. Rates and service at the store are bluffs. The Lincoln National Forest, Billy the Kid Land, and the approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation are west of Roswell on United

Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico 26 27 Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico States Highways Nos. 70 and 380. Hotels and campgrounds are available REFERENCES throughout this region. There are some 700 summer cabins in the Ruidoso Canyon alone. ANDERSON, A. W. The Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico (The Cavern Supply Co., El Paso (Gateway to Old Mexico).—This thriving city, 150 miles south­ Carlsbad, N. Mex.), 1935. west of Carlsbad Caverns, offers much of interest to the traveler. Fort Bliss, the largest cavalry post of the United States Army and home of the BAILEY, VERNON: First Cavalry Division, is at the eastern edge of the city. Three old Animal life of the Carlsbad Caverns. Monograph of the American Society of Mammalogists No. 3 (The William & Wilkins Co., Baltimore), 1928. missions, Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario, may be visited in the Rio Bats of the Carlsbad Caverns. National Geographic Magazine, September 1925. Grande Valley a few miles below El Paso. These missions were built in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Just across the Rio Grande is BELL, H. S. Carlsbad the Magnificent. Nature Magazine, December 1927. Juarez, the largest Mexican city on the border. One of its principal attractions is Mission Nuestra Sehora de Guadalupe, first permanent struc­ DARROW, F. L. Within the Earth. St. Nicholas Magazine, August 1930. ture to be built in this valley by Spanish priests in 1659. GRANT, BLANCHE C. Cavern Guide Book, Carlsbad Caverns, N. Mex. (Cram & Co., Santa Fe.—If you motor north from Carlsbad Caverns to Mesa Verde Topeka, Kans.), 1928. and Grand Canyon National Parks, you may go through Santa Fe, second oldest permanent European settlement in the United States and capital of HESS, FRANK L. Oolites or Cave Pearls in the Carlsbad Caverns, N. Mex. U. S. Nat. New Mexico. The influence of the Spanish settlers and the native Indians Mus. Proc, vol. 76, art. 16, 5 pp., 8 pis., 1929. is visible everywhere today. This interesting historic background, coupled JIM WHITE'S OWN STORY. Jim White, Carlsbad, N. Mex., 1932. with the fine climate and natural beauty of the region, has made Santa Fe a favorite resort with travelers. The exact date of its establishment has LEE, WILLIS T.: never been fixed, but much of the evidence available points to 1605. A Visit to Carlsbad Caverns (Guadalupe Mountains, N. Mex.). National Geo­ Many ancient buildings, closely connected with its colorful past, still stand. graphic Magazine, January 1924. Carlsbad Caverns (N. Mex.). Scientific Monthly, August 1925. The Governor's Palace, believed to have been erected early in the seven­ New Discoveries in Carlsbad Caverns (N. Mex.). National Geographic Magazine, teenth century, is now the home of the Historical Society of New Mexico, September 1925. the School of American Archeology, and the New Mexico Museum of Archeology. This building was continuously occupied by Spanish and MITCHELL, G. E. Carlsbad Caverns, a Wonderland of New Mexico. Mentor, August American Governors until 1909. Gen. Lew Wallace lived in it from 1878 1925. to 1881, and it was there that he wrote the concluding chapters of Ben Hur. NICHOLSON, F. E. The Exploration of Carlsbad Caverns (Railey Printing Co., Inc., Just north of the city are the ruined earthworks of Fort Marcy, constructed Wichita Falls, Tex.), 1930. by General Kearny when he occupied Santa Fe in 1846. Remains of many communal dwellings, built by the prehistoric peoples PARKER, HARRY C. Notes on Mammals of the Carlsbad Caverns Region. Jour, of who occupied this region long before the arrival of the Spaniards, are found Mammal., vol. 13, no. 1, p. 70, February 1932. throughout the Southwest, and some of them may be seen a few miles from WARNER, L. H. Visiting Carlsbad Caverns. National Republic, March 1930. Santa Fe. Just over the New Mexico State line, in the southwestern corner of Colorado, is Mesa Verde National Park, created by the Federal Govern­ WETMORE, ALEXANDER. Bones of the Great Horned Owl from the Carlsbad Caverns. ment in 1906 to protect hundreds of the most notable prehistoric cliff The Condor, vol. 33, no. 6 (November-December), pp. 248-249. dwellings in the United States. WILLIAMS, HENRY EDISON. Christian Science Monitor, edition of April 8, 1932.

MISCELLANEOUS : New Mexico's Big Cave. Literary Digest, November 29, 1924. Elevator to Reach Underworld Wonderland. Popular Mechanics, June 1931.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico 28 29 Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico NATIONAL PARKS IN BRIEF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

Glimpses of Our National Parks. Brief descriptions of national parks. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, KY.—Birth­ LASSEN VOLCANIC, CALIF.—Only place of Abraham Lincoln. Established recently active volcano in United States Address Director, National Park Service, United States Department of the 1916; 0.17 square miles. proper. Established 1916; 163.48 square Interior, Washington, D. C. Free. miles. ACADIA, MAINE.—Combination of mountain and seacoast scenery. Estab­ MAMMOTH CAVE, KY.—Interesting Recreational Map. Shows Federal and State recreational areas throughout caverns, including spectacular onyx cave lished 1919; 26.01 square miles. the United States and gives brief descriptions of principal ones. Address formation. Established for protection BRYCE CANYON, UTAH.—Canyons 1936; 60.20 square miles. same as above. filled with exquisitely colored pinnacles. MESA VERDE, COLO.—Most notable Established 1928; 56.23 square miles. cliff dwellings in United States. Estab­ Fauna of the National Parks. Series No. 1. By G. M. Wright, J. S. Dixon, CARLSBAD CAVERNS, N. MEX.— lished 1906; 80.21 square miles. and B. H. Thompson. A survey of wildlife with recommendations for Beautifully decorated limestone caverns. MOUNT McKINLEY, ALASKA.— adequate protection. Illustrated. 157 pages. Superintendent of Docu­ Established 1930; 15.75 square miles. Highest mountain in North America. Established 1917; 3,030.46 square miles. ments, Washington, D. C. Price, 20 cents. CRATER LAKE, OREG— Beautiful MOUNT RAINIER, WASH.—Largest lake in crater of extinct volcano. Estab­ Fauna of the National Parks. Series No. 2. Wildlife management in the lished 1902; 250.52 square miles. accessible single-peak glacier system. Established 1899; 377.78 square miles. national parks. By G. M. Wright and B. H. Thompson. Illustrated. 142 FORT McHENRY, MD.—Its defense in OLYMPIC, WASH.—Forests of unusual 1814 inspired writing of Star Spangled pages. Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. Price, 20 cents. density; rare Roosevelt elk. Established Banner. Established 1925; 0.07 square 1938; 1,012.5 square miles. miles. Fauna of the National Parks. Series No. 3. By J. S. Dixon. Birds and PLATT, OKLA.—Mineral springs. Es­ mammals of Mount McKinley National Park, Alaska. 236 pages, illus­ GENERAL GRANT, CALIF.—General tablished 1906; 1.32 square miles. Grant Tree and grove of Big Trees. trated. Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. Price, 35 cents. Established 1890; 3.98 square miles. ROCKY MOUNTAIN, COLO—Peaks from 11,000 to 14,255 feet in heart of National Parks Portfolio. By Robert Sterling Yard. Cloth-bound and GLACIER, MONT.—Unsurpassed al­ Rockies. Established 1915; 405.33 pine scenery; 200 lakes; 60 glaciers. square miles. illustrated with more than 300 pictures of places of outstanding scenic Established 1910; 1,537.98 square miles. SEQUOIA, CALIF.—Outstanding interest. Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. Price, $1.50. GRAND CANYON, ARIZ.—World's groves of Sequoia gigantea. Established greatest example of erosion. Established 1890; 604 square miles. Illustrated booklets about the following national parks may be obtained free of charge 1919; 1,008 square miles. SHENANDOAH, VA.—Outstanding by writing to the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. scenic area in Blue Ridge. Established GRAND TETON, WYO.—Most spec­ 1935; 282.14 square miles. tacular portion of Teton Mountains. Acadia, Maine. Mount McKinley, Alaska. Established 1929; 150 square miles. WIND CAVE, S. DAK.—Beautiful cavern of peculiar formations. Estab­ Crater Lake, Oreg. Mount Rainier, Wash. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, N. C- lished 1903; 19.75 square miles. General Grant, Calif. Piatt, Okla. TENN.—Massive mountain uplift; mag­ nificent forests. Established for protec­ YELLOWSTONE: WYO.-MONT.- Glacier, Mont. Rocky Mountain, Colo. tion 1930; 683.75 square miles. IDAHO.—World's greatest geyser area, and an outstanding game preserve. Grand Canyon, Ariz. Sequoia, Calif. HAWAII: ISLANDS OF HAWAII Established 1872; 3,471.51 square miles. Grand Teton, Wyo. Wind Cave, S. Dak. AND MAUI.—Interesting volcanic areas. YOSEMITE, CALIF.—Valley of world- Hawaii, Hawaii. Yellowstone, Wyo.-Mont.-Idaho. Established 1916; 248.54 square miles. famous beauty; spectacular waterfalls; magnificent High Sierra country. Estab­ Hot Springs, Ark. HOT SPRINGS, ARK.—Forty-seven Yosemite, Calif. lished 1890; 1,176.41 square miles. hot springs reserved by the Federal Gov­ Lassen Volcanic, Calif. Zion and Bryce Canyon, Utah. ernment in 1832 to prevent exploitation ZION, UTAH.—Zion Canyon, 1,500 to Mesa Verde, Colo. of waters. Made national park in 1921; 2,500 feet deep. Spectacular coloring. 1.54 square miles. Established 1919; 138.04 square miles.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON 1939 Carlsbad Caverns National Park • New Mexico 30 92579 O—39